I keep a similar database on my (home) computer. I can't refer to it from my lab computer, but I'm pretty sure a fairly high percentage of those "possible" teams will be eliminating each other (via head-to-head matchups that must push one team or the other over 7 losses) in the coming weeks. I expect that by the end of the season there will be no more than 2-3 bowl eligible teams without a home, if there are indeed enough eligible teams to fill out the bowl contracts without waivers being granted(part of that is a function of a team like USC "absorbing" wins without a chance of going bowling.)

...I'll have to check my numbers after work, see if I'm being at all accurate in what I just said.

Right now there are 14 teams with 6 losses, and it seems very unlikely that any of those will win 6 games.  Miami is at 4-6 so if they win out they will qualify, but how likely is that?  There are another 14 with 4-5 records.  Maybe 2-3 qualify.  Iowa State is 5-4 but play OSU, OU and Kansas State-I don't see a win in that group.  The Sun Belt may end up with an extra team (3 of their possibilities have 6 losses), and I think they have a back-up to an bowl agreement, so they may get an extra team in.  As mentioned elsewhere, Eastern must win 7 games since they have 2 FCS wins, and I think they're the only team to have that problem(Arizona State did last year and didn't qualify at 6-6).

This is going to get interesting in the future when there are less easy wins outside of conference play because of more league games required by the increased size of the AQ conferences.  And NCAA academic progress requirements may cut 1 team or two as well.

Let's face it-35 bowls are too many.  And the bowls are getting off from paying any money some of the bowls by requiring minimum ticket purchases by participating teams.  That's a racket that should be stopped.

It would definately help attendence if we got to play a AQ conference team, but not very likely is it?

Can the Bobcats opt out of one of the MAC tie-in games if a better bowl game is interested in the team?

RIght. The newness of making a bowl for this program has worn off and its now about who the opponent is in the game. It would just be huge if that first all time bowl win was against a BCS squad. Its something that will go remembered for a long time.

Every week has plenty of games which complicate the eligible bowl picture-wins by Purdue, Missouri, Navy, and Boston College among others. All underdogs who won.  BC hurts NCSt. pretty bad as they have to beat Clemson to go to  a bowl.

You may already know this, but NC State and Wyoming as well as Eastern Michigan all have 2 wins against FCS teams so they all need 7 wins.

Navy winning means they will probably finish 6-6, taking a spot away from a MAC team.

I suggest we not look ahead and just win this week vs BG.  Then, the next week vs Miami.  just take it a game at a time, then worry about a bowl.  There could be a bunch of 4-4 teams in the east (us included).  We still just need to take care of business.  last week was good for us.  Let's hope this week is even better!

Pizza Pizza would be awesome--playing Illinois, Purdue, Northwestern or the long shot O$U.  How sweet would a victory over any of these be to cause some midwest swag vs going elsewhere to face someone not popular in these parts?  Chelis Hockey Bar, Greek Town and 3 hours from home in doors 2 days after Christmas.  Win out.

Right you are Wes on the dumbing down of the bowls.  This kind of reminds me of what I read in the Messenger today.  They listed the students who made the local high school's honor roll.  Would you believe that 3 out of 4 students did?  What ever happened to actually achieving something?  Maybe I'm just getting old like OCF and remembering when we walked to school uphill both ways in a foot of snow.

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/college/st-petersburg-times-2012-bowl-projections/1201555

Nice to look at, but again I don't think it will happen.

Yep.  Even if the Big Tedozen were to land two BCS berths, Purdue and/or NWern should have at least 6 wins and allow a Big T school to make it to Motown -- either one of them or a current 6-win team (likely Illinois or Iowa; O$U might actually turn down Detroit if they're not invited elsewhere).